Dry Needling Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy

We are a physician and a licensed acupuncturist with extensive training and certification in dry needling. We have been tested, passed, and certified by Myopain Seminars, a leading organization in pain science and dry needling. In the state of California, only acupuncturists and physicians are allowed to perform dry needling.

Dry needling is the use of a thin needle (as thin as your hair, itsy bitsy compared to the needles you encountered at the hospital) that is advanced into the soft tissue of a trigger point to cause a local twitch response (LTR). LTR confirms that the needle has been accurately placed into a trigger point. Studies have shown that eliciting an LTR can reduce or eliminate the typical endplate noise and deactivate the trigger point. 

It is called “dry” needling because unlike injections, there is no solution or medication used. The goal of the treatment is reducing pain and increasing function. Our bodies tend to develop areas of tightness, tenderness, and hypersensitivity in response to various stresses. These stresses can be physical, psychological, or emotional in nature – and let’s be honest, sitting for extended period of time is stressful, raising children is stressful, even driving/cooking/talking/learning can be a stressors

It's important to note the differences between acupuncture and dry needling. While an acupuncturist can use needles to stimulate specific points for therapeutic effect, they may not be trained to elicit a twitch response or deactivate trigger points. Although acupuncturists have some training in anatomy and physiology, they may not be fully proficient in identifying anatomical structures or performing deep needling without causing potential harm, such as puncturing the lungs or injuring the intestines, liver, spleen, heart, etc. Most acupuncturists are not trained, some have never tried to deep needle the front of the neck, pectoralis minor/major, lamina, quadratus lumborum to get to your psoas major. 

For these reasons, it's advisable to seek dry needling from a certified specialist. This will ensure that you receive treatment that effectively reduces pain while prioritizing your safety.

Dry needling is generally considered safe; however, as with any procedure involving needle insertion into the fascial and intramuscular areas, there are inherent risks associated with such injections. It is important to note that dry needling does not involve the use of any medication. Prior to any treatment, an initial intake and an in-person evaluation (included in the cost of your treatment) will be conducted to assess your medical history. Rest assured, we adhere to the highest standards of safety and hygiene by utilizing single-use sterile needles and gloves, maintaining a clean field, and strictly following the regulations set forth by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Remember to move and mobilize your body to promote blood circulation and speed up the cell turnover process. You can take a regular bath at home, but please avoid public baths, swimming pools, or any activities that may lead to infection of the treated area for 3-5 days. Walking, stretching, and engaging in less strenuous activities are great options.

It is perfectly normal to experience muscle soreness for up to 72 hours after treatment. The muscles in the treated area undergo a similar recovery process as they would after a strenuous workout. Just like after a long break from the gym, you might feel very sore for the next few days. However, with each subsequent treatment, the recovery period becomes easier, and you will experience less soreness, muscles are more relaxed, fewer trigger points, and an improvement in performance.

Yes you can. But please remember to move throughout the day. 

Dry needling is very effective in pain management. You often feel relief immediately after your first treatment. If the pain is acute, you may only need 1-2 treatments. However, if the pain is chronic and has been present for years, it may take some time. What we can promise is that we will continue making progress after each treatment. Our goal is to help you graduate from pain."

Many insurance plans cover acupuncture benefits for musculoskeletal pain such as neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, and low back pain. You can receive acupuncture treatment from us for your pain. However, it's important to note that dry needling is not the same as acupuncture (please see above for clarification).

It's important to understand that insurance doesn't cover an hour of one-on-one time with your doctor. For example, Kaiser American Specialty Health only reimburses for 15 minutes of treatment time, while Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, Aetna, UHC, Optum, and Blue Shield of CA reimburse for 23 minutes. This one-on-one time includes discussing your condition, pre-testing your range of motion and quality of pain, post-testing to determine improvement, among other necessary assessments. This leaves very little time for needling.

When you compensate us, you are supporting our expertise and ensuring 100% in-person and full attention. During your Dry Needling appointment, we are solely dedicated to your care and safety. This means we won't be seeing or treating any other patient during your appointment. We take our time to carefully treat your conditions without rushing, ensuring your safety and comprehensive treatment.